Teen delivers paper, paper doesn't deliver pay

An Auckland community newspaper has been accused of exploiting a 13-year-old who was not paid for four months for delivering her local paper, the North Shore Times.

Phil Schulz thought his daughter Zoe's situation was unique, but was shocked when told many delivery people with Suburban Newspapers, which publishes the North Shore Times, do not get paid until they resign.

"That's not the way to run a business, particularly with vulnerable 12 to 13-year-old kids - they don't know their employment rights."

Zoe, who started her paper round on March 2, was supposed to be getting $10 a week for thrice-weekly deliveries in her Milford street.

But by May when nothing came, she spoke to her dad, who wrote to the company with her bank details. He was told she had to complete a form, which she would have been sent.

Mr Schulz heard nothing more, and assumed Zoe was starting to get her due wages.

Zoe raised the issue again on Tuesday, and was advised by her father to stop delivering the papers. Mr Schulz then wrote to Suburban's Andrew Prime.

"As an employer of children, I would expect that you would be more proactive in ensuring that your employees are correctly set up in your system. That you have let this slip for such a long time is negligent."

Mr Prime wrote back, advising that a cheque with backdated pay would be issued to Zoe.

He also wrote: "Among the 3000 delivery people we have working for us at any one time, we have many who choose not to send in their bank account details until they resign.

"I find it a little disingenuous that you attempt to blame me for your daughter's lack of wages when clearly the problems lies a little closer to home."

Mr Schulz responded: "Your comments implying it is the child's fault are absurd. You are not a savings bank. To employ children and not pay them is called exploitation."

Zoe, who took up the paper run to pay for a visit to friends in England, is meanwhile without a job.

Mr Schulz said she would like another job, but had not found one yet.

"She may have continued doing it, if she had been paid."

Suburban Newspapers editor-in-chief David Kemeys said procedures had not been followed.

"We have today reminded the staff member concerned about his obligations in this area. We've also written to Mr Schulz and advised him of the situation, and we've also offered to hand deliver a cheque."